Courtesans and Criminals: The Underworld of Hideo Gosha

In 1918, Yakuza boss Onimasa (Tatsuya Nakadai) demanded custody of a shopkeeper's young daughter in exchange for "protecting" their business. As the indentured Matsue (Masako Natsume) grows up inside the criminal clan, she strives to assert a sense of command while making plans to break free. Hideo Gosha's gripping drama "Onimasa" (1982) co-stars Tetsuro Tanba, Shima Iwashita. Then, in Gosha's early 1900s-set "Tokyo Bordello" (1987), 19-year-old Hisano (Yuko Natori) faced life in a Yoshiwara brothel after being sold to cover her father's debts. Jinpachi Nezu, Rino Katase co-star. 4 2/3 hrs. Total. Widescreen; Soundtrack: Japanese; Subtitles: English; audio commentary; featurettes. In Japanese with English subtitles.